About Kapalai Island
Kapalai Island is a submerged sandbank in the Celebes Sea off Semporna, Sabah, on the east coast of Borneo. Once a small island, erosion has left only a narrow sandbar visible at low tide. It is best known for the Sipadan-Kapalai Dive Resort, a large water village built on stilts over the reef. Located within the Semporna archipelago near Sipadan and Mabul, it is renowned for clear waters, macro diving and its unique over-water setting.
Visitors guide
Visitors can expect a sandbank that is submerged at high tide with no natural land, dominated by the Sipadan-Kapalai Dive Resort built entirely on stilts over a shallow reef. The setting consists of wooden walkways connecting over-water chalets, restaurants and dive facilities surrounded by turquoise water. There is no beach at high tide, only a small exposed sand spit at low tide. Activities centre on diving and snorkeling on the surrounding house reef, underwater photography and relaxing on resort decks with views of the Celebes Sea.
Key highlights
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Submerged sandbank visible only at low tide with resort built entirely on stilts
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Sipadan-Kapalai Dive Resort water village over the reef
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Renowned macro diving and house reef for snorkeling and underwater photography
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Clear turquoise waters of the Celebes Sea in the Semporna archipelago
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Proximity to Sipadan and Mabul islands for island-hopping and dive trips
History of Kapalai Island
Kapalai was formerly a small vegetated island that eroded over time due to natural processes, leaving a sandbank that is submerged at high tide and exposed only at low tide. It was later developed as the site of the Sipadan-Kapalai Dive Resort, an over-water resort built on stilts over the reef flat.
Culture & Context
Located within the Semporna marine region traditionally associated with Bajau Laut sea communities and part of Sabah's internationally known diving area centred on Sipadan, Mabul and Kapalai
Route
| By air |
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